Backs Against the Wall: The Howard Thurman Storyexplores the extraordinary
life and legacy of one of the most important religious figures of the 20th century.

Born the grandson of slaves, Thurman became a “spiritual foundation” for the Civil
Rights Movement, inspiring many of its leaders including Martin Luther King, Jr,
Jesse Jackson and Congressman John Lewis.

In the mid-1930s, Thurman was the first Black American invited to meet Mohandas
Gandhi who shared his strategy of non-violent resistance. Gandhi suggested it
would be through the African-American experience that the non-violence resistance
movement could take on global significance. When Thurman returned to America,
his writings and speeches planted the early seeds for the non-violent Civil Rights Movement.

Thurman is also remembered for helping launch The Fellowship Church for All
People in San Francisco, a pioneering venture to create the nation’s first interracial,
intercultural church community. Thurman was a gifted and prolific writer who
authored more than 20 books and celebrated as one of the great preachers of his era.

Backs Against The Wall is produced and directed by Martin Doblmeier. Mr. Doblmeier is a filmmaker known for award-winning
films such as BONHOEFFER, The Power of Forgiveness, Chaplains, and The Reinhold Niebuhr
Story.

RSVP below to join MPT for a free screening of Backs Against the Wall: The Howard Thurman Story, followed by a discussion with the film's producer and Director, Martin Doblmeier.